Tag: drugstore

New Budget Beauty Favorites

Flower Lash Knockout Volumizing Mascara in Brown has been my daytime mascara pick for the last couple of weeks. I am liking the softer look of brown, but still with some pretty serious fullness. The formula contains Red Seaweed to strengthen and protect lashes. Enriched with Vitamins C & E for antioxidant protection. And the brush is a gentle fluffy style that doesn’t pull or tug on my lashes.

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm was on the blog last week, but I felt it deserved a revisit. With some additional uses, I’ve found this mask is particularly transformative. My hair is super soft and bouncy. But the biggest plus, it makes for a great treatment after a day at the pool or lake. I’m certainly keeping this on hand as my hair gets put through the ringer during summer playtime.

Skintimate Signature Scents Moisturizing Shave Cream in Raspberry Rain takes me right back to high school when I was so religious about using shaving cream. It really does make a difference, I’ve discovered, especially in the summer. Vitamin E & Olive Butter along with 10 other moisturizers leave skin smooth and soft. Not to mention, prevent those nasty nicks.

Limited Edition Schick Hydro Silk Razor is giving me an insanely close shave and not one cut yet (knockonwood). For those of you who love disposables, I also am adoring the Schick Hydro Silk Disposables with five Curve Sensing Blades plus skin guards. They say it is the highest performing disposable razor out there.

Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 Lotion has all you can ask for if you are headed for a marathon day at the beach: broad spectrum UVA-UVB protection, lightweight, fast absorbing, oil-free and water resistant for 80 minutes. But here’s the bonus: it smells like pina coladas. Winner!

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color Bare It All is another winner from my drugstore beauty guru, Jessica. It is a long-wearing lipstick that doesn’t feel like it. The smooth formula glides on and has a semi-matte finish. Hyaluronic Microspheres helps color adhere while natural marine plant extracts Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamins A & E help smooth lips. Not to mention – this is a fabulous nude. AND it is under $2.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

The Wet Brush

I’ve always heard combs are best for wet hair, especially my fine, long locks prone to breakage. Literally, since high school, I’ve been vigilant about combing, not brushing post-shower. Once again, the industry I love – beauty – is shaking up my routine with their latest and greatest.

I’ve heard rumblings about the Wet Brush. And I’ve spotted it on visits to the Dry bar where I loved the way it glided through my hair. After hearing it wouldn’t damage and was actually good for my strands, I had to make one mine. Now, with the purple shade in my hot little hands, I’m firmly on the bandwagon. This isn’t just any brush – the fine bristles efficiently and gently move through my wet strands, detangling and prepping hair with ease.

The Wet Brush can be used on dry hair as well and feels insanely good. This brush will reign supreme in my book for dry hair styling, but the Wet Brush’s bristles massage and stimulate the scalp. This promotes blood flow to the cuticle and stimulates hair growth. Put this on your drugstore shopping list or pick one up at Folica.com, drugstore.com and Sally Beauty Supply.

Pre-Party Prep for a Festive Weekend

Anyone else planning for some festive fun this weekend? You can tell by my manicure above, I’m in the spirit (it is Essie Pretty Edgy). I am sure this will be a relatively boozy weekend with St. Patrick’s Day, wedding festivities and seeing old friends. So, with that in mind…

Just because we are partying doesn’t mean we don’t want to look our best, right? I’m sticking to these tips to ensure my skin looks its fresh and I can avoid feeling horrible after one too many.

Tonight (and every night), I am going to ensure my skin is super hydrated and nourished with Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer. It replinishes skin and is packed with Pro-Vitamin B5 known to help restore, soften and smooth.
I am going to shoot for alternating water with every “adult beverage”. This ensures you pace yourself and stay hydrated. Bonus points if you can hunt down lemon – it helps detoxify the liver and speed metabolism.
It is easy to get carried away and forget to reapply sunscreen while you are celebrating over brunch on a patio or at a backyard BBQ. I’m tossing Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15 in my purse for frequent reapplication. The lightweight formula is easy to wear with a non-greasy feel.
No excuses here – I keep Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes right by my bed so no matter how tired I am, that makeup is coming off. I also love the Simple Skincare Eye Make-Up Remover Pads for the delicate eye area.

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

Hard Candy CC Crème

Looking for one of the hottest beauty products at a steal of a price? Look no further than your local WalMart. Hard Candy has just launched a CC Cream and it is priced at $8! So, what’s a CC Cream? Think of a BB Cream with more coverage and ingredients to color correct your skin.

I’ve been really impressed with the way Hard Candy CC Crème wears, especially given the price point. The thick (unscented) cream blends well into my skin to give full coverage. The oil-free formula contains light optic pearls that correct skin undertones. The blurring effect (and heavy coverage) hides blemishes and dark spots. I’d call the finish satin – not matte, but still glowing.

The generously sized tubes come in four colors: fair, light, medium and dark. (FYI I am a dead on match for light). Available exclusively at WalMart. Note: I can’t seem to find this online yet, but it hit shelves in mid-February so check your local store.

Maybelline New York The Rocket by Volum’Express Mascara

I have mascara attention deficit disorder. Frankly, I am trying something different in the interest of reporting and reviewing. But I am also on that quest for a great drugstore mascara. Guys, I think Maybelline’s Rocket is my holy grail right now.

The Rocket builds volume right from the first application. The glossy black formula thickens each last from root to tip with a unique gellant formula. While my lashes are long, they can be thin – so this is the precise effect I’m chasing after. But as the lashes build up volume, the finish still looks natural and not clumpy.

Now, plastic brushes aren’t my favorite. For some reason they don’t feel as good going on as a big, fluffy natural brush. But this guy has a rigid core, allowing me to really get at the root of each lash. The tiny, short bristles are what minimize clumping. I guess I need to start giving these plastic brushes a chance.

During the day, I’ve been sticking to one coat. In the evening, I am able to amp up the application for an almost doll-like effect. Either way, I get zero fallout. I’ve been using Blackest Black (non-waterproof). Next time you’re at your drugstore, I highly suggest snagging one of these. Or, you can order one here for $6.29.

I’m a Simple Skincare Ambassador: Let’s Celebrate With a GIVEAWAY!

I know many of you are fellow drugstore beauty aficionados. So, I am thrilled to be partnering up this year with one of my favorite drugstore skincare brands!!! Simple Skincare is all about caring for sensitive skin while using the purest possible ingredients. Even those who don’t suffer from sensitive skin will find the straightforward formulas quenching, soothing and effective.

Simple was born in the UK in 1960, launched with a perfume and dye free cleanser. Today, their focus is on cleansers, wipes, moisturizers and eye care loaded with “skin loving ingredients” and vitamins. Their wipes are a huge staple for me – I love the different variations, all of which are so gentle. And the Vital Vitamin Night Cream is clutch during these dry winter days – hydrates AND calms. Stay tuned as I will be chatting about Simple products throughout the year, bringing you tips on caring for sensitive skin and reviewing products from the line.

And of course we must celebrate, right? I’m thrilled to be giving away TEN gift baskets stocked full of Simple’s new 2013 products, which include:

Foaming Cleanser
Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes
Radiance Cleansing Wipes
Eye Make Up Remover Pads
Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15

Enter using the widget below (US Only):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find Simple Skincare at CVS, Walgreens, Wal-mart, and other drugstores.

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.